162 
Transactions of the Boyal Society of Sovih Africa. 
The size of the spicules is as follows : Narrow spindles from about 0'16 x 
0-06 to 0-22 X 0-06 mm. ; broader spindles from about 0-18 x O'OS to 0-26 
X 0-10 mm. ; clubs from 0'08 x 0-04 to 0-35 x 0-10 mm. ; irregular spicules 
from 0-10 x0'06 to O'lO x 012 mm. 
Locality, etc.—'' Pieter Faure," No. 10219. Knysna Heads, N.E. | E. 3^ 
miles. Depth, 40 fathoms. Collected by large dredge. Nature of bottom, 
sand, shell and coral. Date of collection, October 11, 1900. 
Alcyonium (Metalcyonium) novarae, Kiikenthal, 
In the " Pieter Faure" Collection there are two specimens which show a 
number of points of resemblance with the species collected during the 
" Novara " Expedition at the Cape of Good Hope. Kiikenthal has not given 
figures of this species, and as the two specimens in my collection are rather 
unsatisfactory, I am not completely sure of this identification. 
Locality, etc.—'' Pieter Eaure," No. 5062. Eocldand Point, N.W. i N. 2^ 
miles. Depth, 23 fathoms. Collected by large dredge. Nature of bottom, 
rocks with many sponges. Date of collection, June 8, 1900. 
Metalcyonium molle, Burchardt. 
Five specimens, brownish in colour ; the smallest 10 mm. in length and 
4 mm. in diameter ; the largest 28 mm. in length and 5-6 mm. in diameter ; 
the stalk 21 mm. in length, expanded polyps at least 2 mm. long. The 
stalk fairly hard and tough, the hemispherical head soft. Spicules scanty, 
namely a few simple spindles in the cortex of the stalk, measuring 0*30 x 
0*04 mm., and minute forms in eight areas beneath the tentacles and a few 
running in a circular direction, measuring 0-2 by 0*015 mm. 
Metalcyonium molle, Burchardt, was collected in Australo-Malayan waters. 
It differs, however, from my specimens in being entirely without spicules, 
but on the other hand there are many other points of similarity. I have 
reviewed all the known species of Metalcyonium and Nidalia, and my speci- 
mens stand nearer Metalcyonium molle than to any other. It seems un. 
necessary to make this a new species. 
Locality, etc. — " Pieter Faure," No. 10883. UmhlotiEiver mouth, N. by 
W. ^ W. 8| miles. Depth, 40 fathoms. Collected by large dredge. Nature 
of bottom, sand and shells. Date of collection, December 18, 1900. 
" Pieter Faure," No. 10850 e. Same locality and depth. Two specimens 
with advanced ova in the gastral cavities. 
Metalcyonium variabile, var molle, sp. n. 
Syn. Alcyonium antarcticum, W. and S. (Hickson). 
(Plate V, fig. 2 ; Plate YI, figs. 1-3.) 
This form has already been described by Hickson from the Cape under 
the name Alcyonium antarcticum, W. and S., but this identification I regard 
